Two Blocks from the Edge

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Two Blocks from the Edge

| type = Studio Album

| artist = Michael Brecker

| cover = Two_Blocks_From_the_Edge.jpg

| alt =

| released = May 1998

| recorded = December 20–23, 1997

| venue =

| studio = Avatar Studios (New York City, New York)

| genre = Jazz

| length = 55:43

| label = Impulse! Records

| producer = Michael Brecker

| prev_title = Tales from the Hudson

| prev_year = 1996

| next_title = Time Is of the Essence

| next_year = 1999

}}

Critical reception

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/r350777 |title=Two Blocks from the Edge - Michael Brecker | AllMusic |first=Scott |last=Yanow |work=allmusic.com |year=2011 |accessdate=21 July 2011}}

|rev2 = The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings

|rev2score = {{Rating|3|4}}

}}

Two Blocks from the Edge is Michael Brecker's fifth album as a leader. It was recorded in 1997 at Avatar Studios in New York City, and released in 1998.{{cite book |last1=Cook |first1=Richard |authorlink1=Richard Cook (journalist) |last2=Morton |first2=Brian |authorlink2=Brian Morton (Scottish writer) |title=The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings |year=2008 |edition=9th |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-141-03401-0 |page=167}} It features pianist Joey Calderazzo and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, noted for their work with Branford Marsalis.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Michael Brecker, except where indicated.

  1. "Madame Toulouse" - 5:19
  2. "Two Blocks from the Edge" - 8:32
  3. "Bye George" (Joey Calderazzo) - 6:59
  4. "El Niño" (Joey Calderazzo) - 7:41
  5. "Cat’s Cradle" (Joey Calderazzo) - 6:43
  6. "The Impaler" (Jeff "Tain" Watts) - 7:13
  7. "How Long ‘Til the Sun" - 7:39
  8. "Delta City Blues" - 5:37

Personnel

With:

= Technical personnel =

  • Michael Brecker – producer, arrangements (tracks 1, 7, 8)
  • Joey Calderazzo – producer, arrangements (tracks 1, 7, 8)
  • James Farber – recording and mixing
  • Rory Romano – recording assistant, mix assistant
  • Greg Calbi – mastering at Masterdisk, New York City, USA
  • Steve Fallone – mastering assistant
  • Hollis King – art direction
  • Kevin Gaor – graphic design
  • Timothy White – photography
  • Gitte Gammelgaard – band photography
  • Depth of Field – management

References